Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Crepuscular rays

We are all familiar with a "ray" of sunshine, but there is a different kind of ray that you may not be familiar with. Crepuscular rays are common sights at sunrise and sunset, or near mountainous terrain where the rays of sunlight are actually blocked, creating a shadow. This satellite image from the International Space Station shows how the crepuscular rays are actually parallel, but when viewed from the ground, it appears the rays radiate out from the center of light source. This illusion is caused by distance and perspective in which we are viewing the light.

Our weather situation in Kansas is about to get active. Several storm systems will be crossing the central and western US through the first 10 days of November. Let's hope it cuts into the drought situation a little more, as much of the state could still benefit from precipitation. Of course this time of the year, it could be rain or snow, so check back for updates.